Pressing machine



Oct. 2, 1928.

H. E. COHEN PRESSING MAcHiNE Filed July 24, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet Get. 2, 1928.

H. E. COHEN PRESSING MACHINE Filed July 24, 1923 s Sheets -Shee t 2 Oct. 2, 1928.

HE. COHEN PRESSING MACHINE Filed July 24, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet Patented Oct. 2, 1928.

UNITED STATES I 1,686,266 PATENT OFFICE.

HYMAN ELIAS COHEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES HOFFMAN MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

PRESSING MACHINE.

Application filed July 24, 1923. Serial No. 653,602.

This invention pertains to improvement in garment presses and the invention has for its object the production of a machine wherein articles and more particularly, knit goods, may be quickly and efficiently pressed.

The main object of the inventlon 1 s to provide a machine wherein the goods will be automatically fed to and from the pressing elements and likewise to provide means whereby the goods' may be subjected to a steaming action and thereafter to the action of a vacuum or suction which tends to dry the goods just as they pass from the press at the d1scharge side or end thereof.

The further object of the inventlon 15 to provide mechanism whereby the conveyor will be automatically stopped and started and worked in timed relation to the opening and closing mechanism of thepress and the steaming and vacuum-producing means likewise brought into operation at given intervals. I

With these and other objects in view, reference will be had to the annexed drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of a press and the associated conveying mechanism;

Figure 2 a vertical sectional elevation taken transversely of the press and the conveyor;

Figure 3 a detaildiagrammatic view showing the circuit for controling the motors which areemployed together with means whereby the circuits .are established and interrupted v Figure 4 a detail view showlng the parts in a position slightly different from that shown in Figure 3;

Figure'5 a horizontal sectional view taken through the switch box;

Figure 6 a vertical sectional view taken on the line VIVI of Figure 5;

Figure? a similar view taken on the line VH-T-VII of Figure 5 and Fi ure 8 a vertical seotional'view of the swin box showing the position of the switch arm when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 4.

The press may be of any approved type and in the instant case is shown as comprising a bed or platen 1 vrigidly fixed upon suitable supports 2 which in turn are secured to the forward portion of the main frame 3 of the machine. Pivotally secured to the upwardly extend g elemen s 4; of the main frame is a lever 5 which at its forward end has attached to it a pressing head 6, the weight of said pressing head being counterbalanced by a weight 7' mounted upon the rear end of the lever. Any suitable mechanism may be employed for opening and 010s ing the press, that is to say, to secure downward and upward movement of the head 6 with reference to the platen 1. To this end I employ a toggle comprising two elements 7 and 8, the latter embodying a spring tension device as is common in the art, the lower end of the element 7 being fulcrumed at 9 in, the'lower rear portion of the frame 3, while the ,upper end of the element 8 is pivotally connected to the lever 5. adjacent its rear end. The parts are so proportioned that when the toggle is straightened or brought to the full line position shown in Figure 1, the rear end of the lever will be moved upwardly and the head 6 forced Y downwardly into contact with the goods to be pressed. 7

To straighten the pressure a l in to le (7 and 8) I .employ a second t dgg le om p is ing the members 10 and 11 pivotally connected at 12. Member 10 at its other end is pivotally attached to a fixed element 13 secured in the frame of the machine and the rear end of the element 11 is pivotally attached by a bolt 14 to the element 7 of the pressure toggle. A spring 15 tends normally to break the pressure toggle and to thus elevate'the head or bring the parts to the dotted line position in Figure 1.

The goods to be operated upon are presented to the pressing element by an endless band or belt denoted by 16, which in the present case is shown as passing about and over rollers 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21. Said rollers are mounted in a suitable framework denoted generally by 22 and in the present case shown as formed from angle bars rigidly secured together so as to produce a stable framework which may be moved 11p to and over the press. The rollers 20 and 21 stand in approximate alinement with the upper face of the bed or platen 1 and the lower run of the belt 16 therefore passes over the buck or bed and in virtual contact therewith. The frame which supports the belt is provided at each side of the bed or platen of the press with table-like or supporting elements 23 and 24 respectively, which underlie the lower run of the belt at such portions and enable the be lowered into pressing relation with the operators to readil place the goods upon the belt at the left of the press and to remove the goods from the belt at the right of the press. While the frame which supports the rollers and belt is shown in the instant case as separate and detached from the press and its frame, it is conceivable that the conveyor belt supporting the frame might be attached to and supported upon the main frame of the press. The independent frame, however, enables me to employ the belt and its supporting frame in conjunction with an ordinary press provided there were no interconnections between the driving mechanism of the press and the means employed for operating a conveyor belt. The axle of roller 21 has secured to it a sprocket pinion or wheel 25 about which passes a sprocket chain 26, said chain also passing about a sprocket wheel 27 secured to the shaft of an electric motor 28 shown in the present instance as supported upon a bracket 29 secured to the belt supporting frame 22.

As above noted it is desirable in the handling of knit goods to subject the same to a steaming action and also to the action of a vacuum to dry the same. To this end I employ certain means and mechanism co-related with the operating portions of the press to bring the steaming and vacuum devices into operation at the desired time and in timed relation to the movement of the belt.

The press is designed to be opened and closed through the operation of an electric motor 30,v said motor driving .a worm 31, which meshes with a worm gear 32, secured to a shaft 33. A pinion 34 is likewise secured to said shaft, said pinion in turn meshing with a gear 35, mounted upon a crank shaft 36 supported in suitable bearings 37, secured to the main frame of the press. A pitman 38 is attached to the crankshaft, the upper end of the pitman being pivotally connected to the member 10 of the opening and closing toggle.

It will therefore be seen that rotation of the crank shaft through the operation of the motor 30 and the intermediate gearing will alternately straighten and break the opening and closing toggle and alternately straighten and break the power applying toggle (elements 7 and 8) and cause the press head to platen or buck 1. As a consequence, any material which is upon that portion of the belt 16 which overlies the buck will be subjected' to a pressing action.

The head of the press is hollow and provided with a steam chamber 39, steam passing thereto through a pipe 40 as is usual in presses of this type. A normall closed valve 41' opens from the chamber 42 ormed by the lower wall of the chainber39 and a foraminous plate 43 secured to the lower face of the head. If desired, a presscloth may be secured against the exposed face of the foraminous plate. Secured to the valve 41 is a bracket 44, to which is pivotally connected a lever 45, said lever extending rearwardly and being pivotally connected to the upper arm of a link 46, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to the element 11 of the opening and closing toggle. I

From an inspection of Figure 2, it will be seen that when the press head is closed that the link46 is drawn downwardly and rear end of the lever 45 is likewise depressed, said lever contacting the valve stem and depressing the same and permitting steam to pass from the chamber 39 to the chamber 42 and through the foraminous plate 43 directly on to the goodssupported by the belt. As the head is opened and the parts come to the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, it will be seen that the valve stem is permitted to rise and the projection of steam is thus cut off.

The buck is provided with a heating chamber 47 to which live steam passes through a pipe 48, a suitable drain 49 being provided. Live steam passes to the pipe 48 from the supply pipe 50. Overlying the chamber 47 is a secondary or vacuum chamber 51, the upper face of which is formed by a foraminous or perforate plate and pipes 52 and 53 extend from said chamber and are connected into a common exhaust 54. Said exhaust pipe terminates adjacent an ejector nozzle 55 which is in communication with the live steam pipe 48, through a normally closed valve 56, the stem of which projects downwardly and contacts a lever 57 fulcrumed upon a fixed bracket 58. An exhaust pipe 59 extends outwardly from the fitting in which the nozzle 55 is mounted and passes to any suitable point, as a muffler or condenser, as is common. Lever 57 over-v lies the element 10 of the opening andclosing toggle. When said toggle is broken, as 'seen'in dotted lines in Figure 2, element 10 contacts lever 57, moves the same upwardly and opens the valve 56, thereby per-' mitting steam to pass through the nozzle 55 and produce a suction in the chamber 51, drawing the air downwardly through the belt 16 and the goods, drying the same. 'It will thus be seen that when the press is closed, steam is automatically projected upon the goods; when the press head is open the steam is automatically cut off and the vacuum automatically brought into operation.

In orderto effect a proper timing of the motors 28 and 30, I employ suitable switch mechanism, which controls the circuits in which the motors are included. The construction shown is substantially that set forth and claimed in my co-p'ending application Ser. No. 610,259, filed January 2, 1923 i I Secured to the crank shaft 36 is a crank wheel or disk 60 to which is attached a pitman 61, to the upper end of which is connected a rod 62, mounted in suitable guides 63, extendin outwardly from the switch box 64. Sai rod has secured to it a collar 65, to which is attached at one end a coiled spring 66, the opposite end being secured to the free end of an arm or lever 67, secured to a rocker shaft 68, mounted in suitable bearings in the walls of the switch box.

A rod 69 is mounted in suitable bearings beneath the table of the machine, the outer end of the rod being provided with a handle 70. A spring 71 tends normally to draw the rod inwardly and to project its innermost end into the path of the arm 67 and to hold it in one or another position as the. case may be (see Figures 3 and 4). When the arm 67 is in theposition shown in these two figures, the circuits which lead to both motors are broken. The switch box, on its outer face, carries stops 72 and 73, which serve to limit the upward and downward movement of the arm 67 under the stress of the spring 66. Shaft 68 carries two contact arms 7 1 and 75 (see Figure 5), arms 7 4 cooperating with two terminals 76 and 7 7 (Figure 7), which are connected up with the circuit in which the motor 28 is included. The lines of this circuit are designated generally by 78 and 79. Arm 75 controls the circuit of the motor 30 which operates the press. This circuit is designated generally by 80 and 81 and the terminals therefor are indicated at 82 and 83, and 84 and 85, the arm 75 contacting first with one pair and then with the other pair. The circuit for the motor 30 is closed at every half revolution of the crank shaft 36 and the disk 60, so that it is necessary to employ two sets of contacts for that circuit, whereas, the belt-controlling motor is operated only after the press has been closed and then opened.

lVith the parts shown in the position in Figure 3, at which time the crank shaft 36 is in its lowest position and the press head is closed owing to the straightenlng of the toggles, the switch arm 67 is held in its neutral position, coming to rest upon the innermostend of the rod 69. As the rod 62 is moved downwardly, during the quarter revolution of the crank shaft, spring 66 is put under tension and when the operator again desires to have the press opened and the belt fed forward, he merely pulls the rod 69 outwardly, thus releasing the arm 67 and permitting the spring 66 to draw said arm downwardly and thereby through the rocking of the shaft 68 brings the contact arms 74 and 75 into bridging relation with the contacts 7 6 and 77, and 82 and 83, respectively.

Th motors are then set in operation, the

press head is opened and the belt fed forward. When the crank has made a half revolution, theparts will come to the posi-. tion shown in Figure 4, and the arm 67 will be drawn upwardly by the spring and both circuits broken. This allows the belt to come to rest with the head oft-he press in its elevated position. The operator then manipulates the handle and starts the press head downwardly, the arm at such t me closing the circuit through the upper terminals 8i and 85, the spring throwing the switch to this position. This closes the head while allowing the belt to remain stationary. I

It will thus be seen that the structure is substantially automatic throughout and all that is necessary is for the attendants to see that the goods are properly placed upon the belt and removed therefrom after passing through the press and to pull out the rod 69 when the goods are ready to pass into the press and when they are ready to pass out of the press, after having been operated upon.

\Vhile- I have described the belt as traveling from the left to the right it is conceivable that the belt may be moved to the opposite direction; this being accomplished by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor 28.

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination with cooperative pressing elements; an endless belt, one run where of passes between said elements and to each side of the same; a motor for moving the belt; a second motor for opening and closing the press; switch mechanism operable to close the circuits of the motors in alternation; and means under the control of the operator for arresting the switch mechanism in open position.

2. In combination with cooperative pressing elements; an endless belt, one run whereof passes between said elements; a motor for moving the belt; a second motor for opening and closing the press; switch mechanism for effecting alternate energization of the motors whereby the belt is moved only after a pressing action has been effected; and means under the control of the operator for arresting the switch mechanism in open position.

3. In a press the combination of a buck; a head movable toward and from the same, said head having a perforate under face; means for moving the head toward its open and closed position; means operative through the said opening and closing means to cause ejection of steam through the perforate face of the head when the head is brought to its closed position; a conveyor belt passing between the head and buck; and. means for moving the belt step by step.

having a perforate- 4. In a press the combination of a buck having a perforate pressing face; a head movable toward and from the same, said head having a perforate under face; means for ejecting steam therethrough; means for moving the head into and out of pressing sition; vacuum producing means con-- nected to the buck; and means actuated by the opening and closingmeans for bringing the steam ejecting means into operation as the head is closed and for bringing the vacuum producing means into action when the head is opened.

5. In a press thecombination of a buck ressing face; a head movable toward and rom the same; vacuum producing means connected to the buck; a conveyor cooperative with the buck to present goods to be pressed in position between the buck and the head; means for opening and closing the head; and means actuated by the opening and closing means for bringing the vacuum producing means into action.

6.-In a press the combination of a buck having aperforate pressing face; a head movable toward and from the buck andlikewise having a perforate pressing face; a toggle mechanism for opening and closing the head; a normally closed steam inlet valve controlling assage of steam to the perforate face of t e head; connections between said valve and the toggle mechanism for opening the valve when the tog 1e mechanism is in that position to close are head; vacuum producing means connected with the buck; and means actuated b the togglemechanism when the same is bro en to bring the vacuum producing means into operation.

7 In a press the combination of a buck; a head; toggle mechanism for opening and closing the head; a crank shaft; an electric motor for actuating the same; connections between said crank shaft and the toggle mechanism for actuating the latter; a conveyor adapted to be'moved over the buck; a motor for actuating said conveyor; and switch mechanism controlled by the crank shaft for opening and closing the circuits leading to the motors.

8. In a press the combination of a buck: a head; toggle mechanism for opening and closing the head; a crank shaft; an 'electrlc motor for actuating the same; connections between said crank shaft and the toggle mechanism for actuating the latter; a conveyor adapted to be moved over the buck; a motor for actuating saidconveyor; switch mechanism controlled by the crank shaft for opening and closing the circuits leading to the motors; and means under the control of the operator for arresting the switch mechanism in open position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HYMAN ELIAS COHEN. 

